Translator: AnubisTL
"Oh dear, aren't you overthinking this?"
Across from the silver dragon stood a 'young woman' with honey-colored skin and a sweet demeanor. More accurately, this was Deborah's mother, the red copper dragon Serena, in her humanoid form.
She saw nothing wrong with her daughter lingering in the Frontierlands.
Serena believed that as offspring grew older, it was natural for them to have secrets they didn't wish to share with their parents.
"Deborah has always been a well-behaved and obedient child. This is the first time she's ever deceived me," the silver dragon's humanoid form was flawlessly handsome, but the displeasure in his eyes was almost palpable.
Serena shook her head slightly. "She's nearly a young dragon now. It's natural for her to have her own ideas."
After a pause, she continued, "We should give her enough space, not strict control and restraint."
The silver dragon frowned.
He said earnestly, "Appropriate restraint is necessary. This world isn't safe."
The red copper dragon chuckled. "My dear Silver Scales, have you forgotten how you used to sneak into the human world during your youth? You used transformation magic to become an adventurer and used illusions to trick your father's surveillance!"
Edri's expression froze for a moment before he retorted, "That's different! The Frontierlands are teeming with chaotic, evil lunatics. Besides, I was already a young dragon back then, while Deborah is still a juvenile!"
The red copper dragon, Serena, remained unfazed.
She chuckled, "Oh, don't be so serious, dear. Deborah's magic scale hasn't activated, which means she's not in any danger. Why not let her have some fun?"
"Having her own desires, opinions, and independent thoughts—that's precisely how she grows."
The silver dragon listened to his mate's words.
After a few seconds of silence, he slowly replied, "You're right. I'm just being overly protective and worried."
"It's good that Deborah has her own ideas."
As he spoke, the silver dragon's eyes narrowed slightly, his face hardening. His tone shifted abruptly. "But I still need to see for myself what she's doing, ensure her safety, and make sure she hasn't been lured or corrupted by evil creatures."
Hearing the silver dragon's resolute words, Serena blinked.
My little Deborah, may fortune favor you. Your mother can only help you so far, she thought to herself.
Frostmark Edri was known for his strict and rigid nature, while red copper dragons were naturally lively and carefree. Serena understood perfectly why her daughter was being so secretive; Deborah had confided in her.
She knew Deborah had been "fooling around" with a red-iron dragon lately.
Despite returning home in tears after their first encounter, Deborah was now secretly meeting with him behind her father's back.
Serena suspected Deborah might be developing deeper feelings for him.
"Hybrid red-iron dragon... I hope you're not as stubborn and arrogant as other evil dragons, spouting nonsense. Otherwise, you'll pay the price."
Evil dragons grew up in harsh environments, often developing twisted mentalities. Even when facing metallic dragons stronger than themselves, they would frequently resort to boasting and insults.
Based on Serena's understanding of her mate, the silver dragon would undoubtedly strike hard and show no mercy to such a dragon.
"Still, judging by the riddles Deborah shared with me, this red-iron dragon might be different. Perhaps he could even earn Edri's respect."
The red copper dragon mused inwardly.
"Serena, let's go together," the silver dragon said.
"Alright, alright," Serena nodded.
'Should I warn Deborah to prepare?'
Serena's face lit up with a mischievous grin. 'No, that would be too boring.'
"If we sneak up on her, we might catch little Deborah using dragon flame to roast rock lizards for the red-iron dragon's lunch. I'm dying to see her reaction when she's caught red-handed."
She was a classic red copper dragon, with a penchant for riddles, pranks, and general mischief.
Even her own descendants—no, especially her own descendants—were fair game for her amusement.
"Serena, what are you smiling about?" the silver dragon asked, taking two cautious steps back. "You always wear that smile when you're plotting something wicked. What prank are you planning now?"
The red copper dragon shook her head, her expression suddenly earnest. "Nothing, nothing. I was just thinking about how long it's been since I last saw Deborah, and how wonderful it will be when we reunite. That's all."
I hope so, the silver dragon thought, rubbing her forehead and sighing softly.
Red copper dragon mates and descendants with their bloodline were always such a handful.
"Let's leave now."
The silver dragon abruptly rose to its feet.
"What's the rush?" the red copper dragon drawled. "We haven't ventured out together in ages. We can take our time, enjoy the scenery of the Frontierlands along the way."
With that, the pair departed Red Maple Valley.
Driven by the red copper dragon's leisurely mood, they proceeded toward Deborah's location at a leisurely pace.
Meanwhile,
Dawn pierced through the leaden clouds, and the Ironforged Tribe's banners already fluttered across the Black Iron Plains.
After completing his daily training, Garos patrolled his newly acquired territory. His gaze swept over the alchemy workshops, each belching black smoke and radiating intense heat, before circling once and landing before the roaring golem workshop.
This place had once been the lifeblood of the Gold Tooth Tribe and now served as a vital asset for the Ironforged Tribe.
Conveyor belts flowed like rivers of steel, carrying unfinished golem skeletons. The air reeked of a pungent mix of molten metal, coolant, and black oil. Alchemists, along with trained hyena-men and kobolds, worked tirelessly within, their efforts radiating with purpose.
The kobolds, with their slender, nimble fingers and flexible wrists, excelled at assembling the intricate, miniature components.
The hyena-men, natural anatomists with precise claws, meticulously carved the fundamental alchemical runes with practiced skill.
The core tasks of imbuing magic energy and awakening the spirits of the golems were performed by the alchemists.
Each step in the assembly line operated with clockwork precision. Whenever an alchemist's magic energy was depleted, or a hyena-man or kobold collapsed from exhaustion, a replacement immediately stepped in, ensuring the process never faltered.
"Steadily advancing, flourishing with vitality—a truly magnificent sight," the red-iron dragon nodded in satisfaction.
The Ironforged Tribe's territory was gradually expanding across the southern Frontierlands. This vast domain required numerous guards, but the goblins' accumulated golems had been nearly destroyed in battle. Relying solely on Ironforged Warriors was insufficient to defend the territory, necessitating the creation of alchemy golems.
After the alchemical legion was crushed, the wreckage of the alchemy golems hadn't been discarded. Instead, the completely ruined ones were melted down into raw materials, while usable components were salvaged, repaired, and stockpiled for future assembly.
This approach, though still time-consuming, proved far faster than building golems from scratch. Once a sufficient number of golems were operational, the Ironforged Territory's defenses would no longer be stretched thin.
Most importantly, these preparations served as a contingency for unforeseen circumstances.
With the annexation of the Gold Tooth Tribe, the Ironforged Tribe had become the Frontierlands' most formidable power.
The humans, serpentmen, and orcs had transformed their vigilance into concrete action.
Patrolling guards from the Ironforged Tribe repeatedly intercepted scouts from the Dawn, Venomtail, and Ironblood Tribes, their footprints crisscrossing the border like a spiderweb.
Conquering the Gold Tooth Tribe was merely the prelude to a storm.
The balance that had maintained this land for centuries was now gradually fracturing due to the Ironforged Tribe's rise.
The lingering scent of gunpowder never truly dissipated from the air. The other tribes were certain that the Ironforged Tribe's Ironhoof would not halt its advance in the south.
"A preemptive strike? That's not suitable for the current situation."
"Digesting and consolidating our gains is paramount. With each passing day, the Ironforged Tribe grows stronger. It's the other tribes who should be anxious."
"When soldiers come, we'll meet them with soldiers; when floods rise, we'll dam them with earth."
"Prepare our countermeasures and let the situation ferment. That's all we need to do."
Garos estimated that the three major tribes would never sit idly by and await their doom.
He could vividly imagine the expressions on the faces of their chiefs at this very moment.
The serpentman sorcerer's scales paling with anxiety; the orc warriors repeatedly polishing their sharp spears and swords; the human shamans casting frequent divinations to foretell good or ill fortune.
However, any tribe that had clawed its way to dominance in the Frontierlands was no pushover.
They were undoubtedly already plotting how to counter the Ironforged Tribe.
(End of the Chapter)
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